Let's Talk About Fish

We have a bit of a problem getting Annabella to stay in bed at night. She's an angel all day, but when 8 p.m. rolls around she's all jack-in-the-box, popping up out of bed for sometimes an hour at a time until she finally falls asleep (usually crying.) This is by far the biggest problem we've had with her in her three years and not much seems to work.

I've read a few things lately about how when you have a discipline problem with a three year old, the best thing to do is to talk to them about it. You must wait until they're removed from the situation, these experts say. But at three they should be old enough to understand their actions and how they're not acceptable.

We've had some successful talks about strangers and how you aren't supposed to talk to them. We've had some successful talks about how you should play with people at the park, even if they look different than you do. We've had some successful talks about why you can't be naked all the time in public. But last night when I attempted to broach the subject of our biggest discipline problem with her, I didn't have as much success.

Here is how it went:

Me: So, Annabella. Let's talk about how you kept getting up out of your bed last night.

Annabella: So, Mommy. Let's talk about fish.